The Governor of Ondo state, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has called on
President Buhari and other stakeholders to be more proactive about the
incessant attacks on farmers in the south- west and some other parts of the
country by Fulani herdsmen.
Mimiko made the call recently at a meeting with members of the
Oodua People’s Congress in his office in Akure, the state capital. He added
that if the attacks were not curtailed, it might affect the development of the
country.
Sighting how the herdsmen invaded the farm of Chief
Oluyemi Falae, a former secretary to the federal government and killed a guard
who was one of the leaders of OPC in the state after invading his farm and
kidnapping the 77 year old man last year, 2015.
Biobaku Adebayo is another victim who despite the loss of
his livelihood is wanted by the police for being the employer of some Fulani
men that were believed to have sheltered fellow herdsmen after attacking
neighboring farms.
Investigation revealed that Adebayo started the
lucrative cattle business with all his savings after relocating to Ondo state
from Abeokuta, Ogun State in 2012.
Sources stated that the community attacked the farm and burnt it down in July 2015 and debayo being the owner of the business was given 15 days ultimatum to produce his Fulani workers or face prosecution.
"His Fulani Employees were accused by the
community members of hiding some of their ethnic brothers that attacked
several communities and raped some female workers in nearby farms.
"He was arrested by the police
and disappeared into thin air after he was granted bail while rumor has it that
he was abducted by the Fulani herdsmen who believed that he informed the community
about the hidden herdsmen."Sources disclosed.
Chief Oluyemisi Falae
Another unfortunate
incidence is that of the murder of a popular
Fulani herdsman, Dan Bako, in Ifededore Local Government Area.
It was said that the
deceased was killed by farmers in the village as retaliation of attacks on
their farms by the herdsmen but one of the chiefs who also owns a farm said the
community will not do such to avoid inter- ethnic clash that could cause the
loss of more lives and properties.
“We know nothing
about the death of Bako. He was declared missing days ago before his body was
discovered in the bush. And we can never do what will cause inter – ethnic
clash despite the fact that they have been the ones attacking our farms, raping
our women and kidnapping our people.” The Chief said.
